Conference 7.286::pet_birds

    Jennifer,
    
    I saw a couple of shaft tailed finches about a year or so ago at a
    Docktor Pet Store and they were running in the vicinity of $70-80 each.
    However you may be able to find a breeder around that will have a much
    better price.  You pay retail at the pet shops.  But if you like them
    and they are in good condition, you may not want to wait.  They are
    beautiful birds and I would like to add a couple to my collection.  You
    do not see them often.  In fact, that was the only time that I had
    ever seen them and haven't seen any since.
    
    I have a very good finch book at home and what I will do is make a copy
    of the info on Shaft tailed finches and send it to you.  Just let me
    know your mail stop.
    
    If you like shaft tailed finches, you would love the Whydah Finches.
    They are a bit larger than the shaft tails and have a beautiful long
    tail (approx. 12" in lenghth). There are a few varieties, all are 
    beautiful birds.  I purchased a male a couple of months ago.  I am
    now looking for a mate for him.  He is beautiful!  He just moulted
    and has his full color in.  He lost most of his tail feathers but
    the new ones are coming in now.  He sings almost like a canary.
    
    Good luck!  If I locate a breeder of Shaft Tails in my quest for the
    Whydah,  I will be sure to let you know.
    
    Regards,
    Denise

    
    Denise-
    
    Thanks for the info.  My mail stop is NUO G10.
    
    I've done a little more research since I entered my base note.
    According to the books I've read at various pet stores, the shaft-tailed
    finches come from Northern Australia.  They're also called long-tailed
    finches.  This particular bird seems to be what they call a Heck's
    Grass Finch (it's the red-beaked variety of the long-tail).
    
    According to the book, they're supposed to be hardy,  but also fairly
    aggressive.  I also reached the woman at the pet store who takes care
    of the birds.  She agreed that they are aggressive.  I was looking to
    put them in with my canary to keep him company, but she warned me that
    they're likely to beat him up.  Now I need to decide if I want to
    maintain two cages and isolate the long-tails.
    
    Their coloring was fascinating!  The Whydah you described sounds
    wonderful too. I especially like the fact that they sing.  Are they
    difficult to locate?  Are they expensive?  What is their coloring like?
    Might they get along with my canary?
    
    Jennifer

    Can anyone here answer questions on Pintail Whydahs?
    
    I know someone who is selling a breeding pair for $50.00. What I'd like
    to know is:
    
    1) Is $50.00 for the pair a decent price?
    
    2) Will they get along in my aviary with my other finches?
       (Hooded Nuns, Mannequins, Societies, Green Singers, and 1 Canary)
    
    3) Do they require any "special" treatment?
    
    Thank You,
    
    John D.
    
    

    RE: .3
    
    So, nobody in this notesfile knows anything about Whydahs?
    
    Oh, well, I went ahead and bought the pair, and after quarantine put
    them in the aviary. So far, they're mixing well with the general
    population, after the initial introduction. It seemed that whenever the
    male Whydah took flight, it's tail streaming out behind frightened the
    other inhabitants. It took them most of the day to get used to it.
    
    I'm suprized nobody knows too much about finches, though.
    
    Thanks anyway,
    
    John D.